Meet Carsten Grandy-Richardson | Founder & Visionary

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carsten Grandy-Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carsten, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success and the success behind Grandyworldwide is education. Education is the key to my formative years and experience in fine art and how to think critically. Every skill had to be learned, so to take the time and actually do the homework, as I am primarily self taught and not formally trained in several of the skills I have acquired. You know that education is the key factor to everything really. We come out of the womb not knowing anything so by educating oneself you are training ones tastes and loves towards whatever you look for. I have been training mine towards that which is true, good, and beautiful, which to me embodies art. Having this wholistic view on education has allowed and exposed me to opportunity. Those opportunities have lead to the continued success of me and the brand. That just leads to a constant state of learning and seeking education which can only lead to endless opportunities and growth. Education would solve a lot of the problems in society today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a multidisciplinary creative meaning I spread my creative expertise across many different mediums and fields. Across all the same ethos is throughout and that’s “grandy.” Meaning guided by roots and ambition, nurturing a dedication and yearning for growth. This is what the brands are grounded in is this philosophy of paying respect to heritage but continuing to push the wheel forward by innovating. This comes through a dedication to learning and education leading to endless opportunity and growth. I’m most proud of this past year I had business wise. I hit some pretty big milestones with Grandyworldwide including funding, pop-up experiences, product, interns. I got to do a lot of things and really grow and sort of have my first breakout year I would say with the brand. I also got Artboys Company LLC registered this year making it my second before turning 20. I had a great year with Artboys as well really expanding out and working on projects I do independently under a label with my guys. I’m most proud of my accomplishing my dream of becoming a graphic designer. My internship was with Lightship Capital and I worked on Black Tech Week as a graphic designer and got some of my work recognized by Issa Rae. To get where I am today professionally has not been easy. My journey has been filled with obstacles, questioning myself, not knowing what to do, but keeping faith that it will all work out kept me going. I took to therapy to help me overcome some of my challenges and grow as an individual. One of the lessons I’ve learned along away is that people do business with who they like. Being an artist sometimes is hard, we feel like our work is not being seen but I’ve learned to put out good work, share it. You only need the right eyes, not all the eyes. You only need one yes, and the no’s are to make you stronger. I want the world to know that at Grandyworldwide we champion the power of the maverick spirit. We are where dreams take flight through unparalleled individuality, unconventional brilliance, elegant rebellion, and an insatiable appetite for growth. Together, we ascend in intellect, character, and impact. I want the world to know that I made a promise to my father that I would never let his name and legacy die, so I took grandy worldwide.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend visited the area, I have to take them downtown. Over the week we would have to go to Islya’s Southern Kitchen, Beasley’s, Cookout on the late night tip, and catch Tongue Slappers one day. We definitely have to go to some of the museums downtown, if NC State got a sporting event that would definitely be nice. I would say we could hoop at my high school gym, Trinity Academy or a YMCA, but I just tore my acl, and medial meniscus. Definitely, have to hit The Dankery and or somewhere downtown for some wings to watch some hoops. I want to eventually bring a experimental space to the city where we can connect culture and art with some of our interest, whether that be hoops, sneakers, coffee, streetwear, we want to create that hub for the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my grandfather James Thornton, Founder of Thornton’s Landscaping Inc., and my mother, Crystal Lange, Founder of The Fortified Doula LLC. Their resilience in business has inspired me to operate with the same attitude and work ethic with mine. Their support has meant the most to me. They have come through in ways they know and don’t know. I just think that having such a strong support system and being directly family with me is incredible. They believe in me and what I’m doing and will do whatever to help. It means the most it really does.

Website: grandyworldwide.com, artboyscompany.com

Instagram: @grandyrich, @grandyworldwide, @artboysco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carstengrandy-richardson

Twitter: @grandyrich

Youtube: @artboyscompany, @grandyworldwide